QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 857)
EO 170 was issued by the President to promote academic development and intelligent social participation in colleges and universities by establishing (1) student rights and (2) student responsibilities, and to foster rapport between school authorities and students.
First, the right to admission upon meeting the institution’s specific academic requirements and reasonable regulations approved by the Department of Education authorities. Second, the right to be informed before admission of all school policies/rules governing academic duties, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, discipline, and the assessments for tuition and other fees.
It includes the right to be informed in writing and to be heard and to defend oneself before a school body created by the administration; at least one member must be designated by the duly constituted student government; and it must cover any charge that may lead to suspension, expulsion, or similar disciplinary action under school rules.
Students have the right to be heard and to propose school policies (Section 2[b]).
It may administer, legislate, and adjudicate within its approved constitutional jurisdiction.
Section 2(d) grants students the right, through their student government, to participate in setting up student activity fees and other student activity funds and in the disbursement thereof.
The organization must file with proper school authority a written statement of purpose, description of organizational structure/procedures, specified minimum membership qualifications, and listings. Recognition may be revoked upon proof the organization violates its own statement or the institution’s rules and regulations.
Use is subject to uniform regulations for coordinated use of facilities. Facilities must be used for purposes contracted and for no other purpose.
Students and members of authorized campus organizations may use the institution’s name subject to uniform prescribed rules relating to off-campus activities.
Section 2(h): the right to hear lecturers or speakers chosen upon recommendation of recognized student organizations. Section 2(i): the right to publish and issue within the bounds of law, good morals, and school regulations and objectives, regular student-controlled publications free from censorship or pressure aimed at controlling editorial policy or staff appointments, with publication expenses paid out of student funds.
No. The right to publish is “within the bounds of law, good morals and school regulations and objectives,” and publication must follow applicable laws and school rules.
Section 2(j) grants the right to free research in connection with academic work and to publish, discuss, and exchange findings and recommendations, subject to existing laws and regulations.
The right to competent instruction and adequate welfare services and curricular facilities commensurate to the capacity of the school.
Students may exercise their rights as citizens in off-campus activities without impairing standing in the institution, provided they do not claim to represent the institution.
Students must comply with school policies/rules and discipline; uphold academic integrity; devote themselves to increasing knowledge for fulfillment to self and society; use appropriate channels within the educational community to exercise rights or secure redress from grievances; and fulfill duties imposed by legally constituted student government or student officers/organizations they voluntarily affiliated with.
Only student organizations recognized officially by the university or college administration are entitled to campus facilities and financial support as authorized/given by the administration. It makes recognition a prerequisite for access to institutional support.
Section 5 provides that recognition/limits may restrict off-campus use of the institution’s name or the employment of finances/facilities for off-campus actions, but no disciplinary action may properly be taken against a student/organization/publication for off-campus activities in the exercise of citizenship rights, provided they do not purport to represent or involve the institution without consent. Section 6 empowers the Secretary of Education to issue implementing rules and regulations, including sanctions, to implement EO 170.